News
US intake recommendations for vitamin D increased
30 November 2010
A new report from the US Institute of Medicine has set out new, increased, dietary recommendations for calcium and vitamin D.
06 April 2012
Regular intake of supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids may support the function of blood vessels in cardiovascular patients, suggests a new Chinese meta-analysis.
The meta-analysis included data from 16 randomized controlled trials and a total of 901 participants who used omega-3 fatty acid supplement doses from 0.45 to 4.5 grams per day for an average of 56 days (1). The analysis showed that, compared to placebo, regular supplement intake was associated with a 2.3% improvement in flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of a blood vessel’s healthy ability to relax. Signs of the potential benefits of these fatty acids were limited to people with cardiovascular disease or its risk factors. No benefits were observed in healthy participants. The researchers commented that this could be partly explained in that healthy individuals may already have sound endothelial function, and the improve-ment due to omega-3 fatty acid supplementation was thus limited.
While the effect on FMD was significant, no effects were observed for endothelium-independent vasodilation (EIV). This indicates that omega-3 fatty acids benefit the cells lining the blood vessels (endothelium) directly. The researchers noted that the potential mechanism was still unknown, but the findings pointed to a potential role for omega-3 fatty acids reducing levels of the inflammatory biomarkers that are involved in damage to cells, called soluble adhesion molecules. Their conjecture is in agreement with recent studies that reported omega-3 fatty acids may counter the atherosclerotic and carcinogenic effects of an intercellular adhesion molecule (2,3). The scientists concluded that although a positive association was identified between omega-3 fatty acids and endothelial function, the evidence for a clinical efficacy was not strong enough to make final recommendations concerning specific doses or durations of supplementation for different populations. They recommended conducting future well-designed studies to identify the target population for omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and to determine the optimal dose.
30 November 2010
A new report from the US Institute of Medicine has set out new, increased, dietary recommendations for calcium and vitamin D.
1 August 2014
Excessive intake of high-energy macronutrients and their potential consequences for people’s health are a problem in many industrial nations. In the case of micronutrients, however, epidemiological data suggests that over-supply is the exception rather than the rule across the globe. Many people are therefore concerned that their dietary habits are failing to provide them with a sufficient supply of essential nutrients such as vitamins and carotenoids. Given that intakes of some nutrients are below officially recommended levels, it might at first sight appear unnecessary to set upper intake levels for micronutrients. However excessive intake of food supplements and fortified foods in addition to normal diets could conceivably lead to intake levels which could potentially be considered harmful. It may be sensible to define an upper daily intake level at which the risk of adverse effects on health is unlikely, particularly in the case of fat-soluble vitamins which are stored in small quantities in the body.
27 March 2013
A new US study reports that regular vitamin D supplementation may help African-Americans lower their blood pressure.